Firing abort and hang fire safety system for a small or medium calibre multi-barrel automatic weapon

ABSTRACT

A firing abort and hang fire safety system for a small or medium caliber multi-barrel automatic weapon includes a device to immobilize the revolving assembly (100) of the weapon in rotation. This device includes a shock-absorbing device mounted coaxially to the revolving unit of the weapon, a control device integral in rotation with the revolving unit and able to translate, further to the misfire of a round of ammunition or to the activation of an external control, to compress the shock-absorbing means device and absorb the rotational kinetic energy of the revolving unit of the weapon. The backspring of the shock-absorbing means device thereafter causing the revolving unit of the weapon to rotate in the opposite direction before stopping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a firing abort and hang fire safety system fora small or medium calibre multi-barrel automatic weapon. The weaponincludes a body which supports in rotation an assembly revolving aroundan axis parallel to the direction of fire of the weapon barrels. Therevolving assembly includes notably the weapon barrels and an ammunitionloading and firing system so that the weapon barrels successively fireone round of ammunition during each revolution of the revolvingassembly.

In such a weapon, of the GATLING type, the role of the firing abort andhang fire safety system is essentially that of controlling theimmobilization of the revolving assembly of the weapon be it in responseto the deliberate activation of an external control to abort firing, forexample during or after the firing of a burst of ammunition, orautomatically for safety reasons further to the misfire of a round ofammunition by one of the weapon barrels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the invention is to design a firing abort and hand firesafety system in which the revolving assembly of the weapon can beimmobilized in the best possible conditions given the kinetic energy ofthe revolving assembly at the instant of activating the firing abort orhang fire safety system.

The invention proposes a firing abort and hang fire safety system for asmall or medium calibre multi-barrel automatic weapon, which ischaracterised in that it comprises a system to immobilizing therevolving assembly of the weapon in rotation. The system incorporatesshock-absorbing means mounted coaxially to the revolving assembly of theweapon, a control device comprising a cylindrical body which is coaxialto and integral in rotation with the revolving assembly and is also ableto translate, and means to cause the translational movement in responseto the detection of the misfire of a round of ammunition or to theactivation of an external control to abort firing, to compress theshock-absorbing means and absorb the rotational kinetic energy of therevolving assembly of the weapon, thereby triggering the shock-absorbingmeans and thereafter causing the revolving assembly to be rotated in theopposite direction to the one in which it was moving before firing wasaborted.

The rotational axis of the revolving assembly is provided by a fixedcentral shaft which is extended axially by a rod. One end of the rod isattached to the central shaft by means of a coupling. The other end ofthe rod supports a locking ring.

The shock-absorbing means can be formed of two stacks of spring-ringsrespectively housed in two telescopic tubes mounted sliding along therotational axis of the revolving assembly.

The first telescopic tube comprises at one end a bottom wall throughwhich the central rod passes. The second telescopic tube, which isintended to be engaged at one end in the other open end of the firsttelescopic tube, also comprises a bottom wall through which the centralrod passes, such that the spring-rings of the first stack bearrespectively on the two bottom walls of the two tubes. The spring-ringsof the second stack respectively bear on the bottom wall of the secondtelescopic tube and on the locking ring carried by the central rod.

The means causing the translational movement of the cylindrical body,which enables the shock-absorbers to be compressed, comprise a sleeve,which encompasses the cylindrical body, linking means between the sleeveand the cylindrical body to firstly drive the sleeve in synchronisedrotation with the cylindrical body and secondly to enable thetranslational movement of the cylindrical body with respect to thesleeve, and a device to stop the sleeve in rotation so as to cause thetranslational movement of the cylindrical body. The stopping device isactivated in response to the misfire of a round of ammunition or to theexternal control to abort firing.

The linking means between the element, which enables the shock-absorbingmeans to be compressed, and the sleeve are formed of a cam-followerlocated at the periphery of the cylindrical body, hereafter namedcam-follower-mount, and by helicoidal grooves arranged in the sleevewall, such that each groove receives a cam-follower.

The device to stop the sleeve in rotation comprises a plurality of heelsevenly spaced at the periphery of the sleeve and a retractable searimmobile in rotation with respect to the sleeve and able to move betweena lowered or retracted position and a raised position where the sear islocated on the course of circular movement of the heels to be able toimmobilize the sleeve in rotation.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the number ofheels of the sleeve is equal to that of the barrels of the weapon, suchas to match each heel to a barrel.

The sear is formed of a pivoting flap hinged around an axis supported bya sear support which is immobile in rotation with respect to the sleeveand which is mounted opposite the latter.

In considering only a full revolution of the sleeve and the rotationaldirection of the latter, the heel associated with a barrel of the weaponpasses in front of the sear after the ammunition fired from the barrelhas been ignited and before ignition of the ammunition fired from thenext barrel.

The device to stop the sleeve in rotation is notably activated inresponse to the detection of a misfire in the firing of a round ofammunition. The failure can be detected by observing the absence ofcombustive gases or of a recoil movement of the weapon within a givenlapse of time. Further on, detection means, which are sensitive to thecombustive gas pressure, will be considered.

The passage of the sear into its lowered and/or raised positions isensured by one of several detection and control means mounted on asupport integral in rotation with the revolving assembly of the weapon.The number of the control means is equal to the number of weapon barrelsso as to match a barrel to each control means.

Each control means can be formed of an element able to move between aretracted position and an active position where it can act upon thesear. The element is able to move from one position to another by makinguse of the combustive gases of the ammunition fired by the barrelcorresponding to the control means. The mobile element can be the pistonrod of a jack, whose cylinder communicates with the barrel correspondingto the mobile element.

The invention envisages two operating principles according to theposition occupied by the retractable sear under normal operatingconditions of the weapon.

According to a first embodiment and under normal operating conditions ofthe weapon, the sear is in the raised position before a round ofammunition is fired, which implies a first operating principle accordingto which the sear must be retracted after firing a round of ammunitionfrom one barrel so that the heel of the sleeve corresponding to thebarrel can pass freely in front of the sear, the latter thereafter beingraised after the passage of the heel and before firing a round ofammunition from the following barrel.

In the first embodiment, a device is provided to lower the sear andanother device to raise it, the two devices being successively activatedby the control means corresponding to the barrel which has just fired around of ammunition. The mobile element of the control means is in itsretracted or starting position before the round of ammunition is firedand, under normal operating conditions of the weapon, moves into itsactive position when the round is fired by making use of the combustivegases.

The devices to lower and raise the sear are both formed of a linkageconnected in a hinged manner to the sear to make it pivot in one orother direction. Each of these linkages comprises at least one meansforming a cam which is located on the course of movement of the mobileelement of the control means corresponding to the barrel having fired around of ammunition when the control element is in its active positionso as to act successively on the cams of the devices to lower and raisethe sear.

When a malfunction occurs upon firing a round of ammunition from one ofthe barrels of the weapon, such as, for example, a failure causing theround not to be fired or a delay in firing the round, the mobile elementof the control means of the defective barrel remains in its startingposition because of the absence or delay of the combustive gases. Inthese circumstances, the cams of the devices to lower and raise the searare no longer located on the course of movement of the mobile elementand the sear is thus held in the raised position, that is, on the courseof movement of the heels of the sleeve. The heels corresponding to thedefective barrel will abut, in this case, against the sear therebycausing the immobilization in rotation of the sleeve.

The external control to abort firing during burst fire, for example, isdesigned so as to retain the mobile element corresponding to one of thebarrels of the weapon in its retracted position when the barrel is goingto fire a round of ammunition. In other words, the action of thecombustive gases on the mobile element is eliminated at the instant offiring. Thus, the sear is held in its raised position after firing themunition and it will cause the sleeve to be immobilized in rotation andthe cam-follower-mount to translate, as would be the case for amalfunction at the instant of firing a round of ammunition.

In these circumstances, the shock-absorbing means are still controlledfurther to the immobilization in rotation of the sleeve, whether for themisfire of a round or in the case of the activation of the externalcontrol to abort firing.

According to a second embodiment and under normal operating conditionsof the weapon, the sear is held in its lowered position, which implies asecond operating principle opposite to that described previously.

In the second embodiment, a device is provided to hold the sear in itslowered position and another device is provided to raise the sear solelyafter the misfire of a round of ammunition or after the activation ofthe external control to abort firing so as to cause the sleeve to beimmobilized in rotation.

The mobile element of the control means corresponding to each barrel ofthe weapon is, however, in its active position before the round isfired, and the gases are made use of at the instant of firing to movethe mobile element in its retracted position so that it can not act uponthe device to raise the sear. In fact, the device to raise the searcomprises, as in the first embodiment, a cam located on the course ofmovement of the mobile element of the control means when the mobileelement is in its active position.

In these circumstances, when a malfunction occurs at the instant offiring a round from one of the barrels, as was stated previously, themobile element of the control means corresponding to the barrel remainsin its active position to be able to act on the device enabling the searto be raised before the passage of the heel of the sleeve correspondingto the barrel and the sleeve to be immobilized in rotation when the heelcomes into contact with the sear.

The external control to abort firing during burst fire, for example, isdesigned so as to retain the mobile element of the control meanscorresponding to one of the barrels in its retracted position, as is thecase in the first embodiment, when the barrel fires a round to be ableto act on the device which raises the sear before the passage of theheel of the sleeve corresponding to the barrel which fires the round andthereby cause the sleeve to be immobilized in rotation.

The external control to abort firing in the two embodiments is onlyprovided to act on one of the barrels of the weapons. In thesecircumstances, when the external control to abort firing is activatedduring burst fire, the weapon can still fire a number of rounds at leastequal to the number of barrels of the weapon before the weapon actuallystops, in other words the weapon can not fire shot-by-shot. This mode ofoperation does not present any great interest for a GATLING type weapon.

This second embodiment has the notable advantage of easing wear on allthe mechanisms which are used to lower and raise the sear. Indeed, foreach rotation of the revolving assembly of the weapon under normaloperating conditions, the first embodiment requires the sear to belowered and raised a number of times equal to the number of barrels,whereas in the second embodiment the sear remains in the retractedposition and the mechanisms to lower and raise the sear are not putunder stress.

Thus, according to one important advantage of the invention, the kineticenergy of the revolving assembly of the weapon is absorbed byshock-absorbing means, which prevents an almost instantaneousimmobilization with the risk of creating substantial mechanical stresseson the bearings of the rotational supports of the revolving assembly ofthe weapon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages, characteristics and particulars of the invention willbecome apparent from the explanatory description which follows made inreference to the appended drawings, given merely by way of illustration,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal schematic sector view of a weapon equipped witha firing abort and hang fire safety system according to the inventionand according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a sector view along line II--II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial sector view of a firing abort and hang fire safetysystem,

FIG. 4 is a partial sector view to illustrate the control principle ofthe firing abort and hang fire safety system,

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the firing abort control,

FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar views to that of FIG. 4 to illustrate theoperation of the firing abort and hang fire safety system,

FIG. 8 is a schematic sector view of a firing abort and hang fire safetysystem according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a schematic sector view of the firing abort control, and

FIGS. 11 to 13 are partial sector views to illustrate the operation ofthe second embodiment of the firing abort and hang fire safety system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A small or medium calibre multi-barrel automatic weapon is illustratedschematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. The weapon 1, of the GATLING type,incorporates a body 3 which supports a revolving assembly in rotation.

The revolving assembly notably includes the barrels T of the weapon, ofwhich there are for example four, and an ammunition M loading and firingsystem SC so that the barrels T successively fire one round ofammunition during each full revolution of the revolving assembly.

The body 3 of the weapon 1 is hollow and has an elongated shape andextends between a rear end which is closed by a bottom 5. The body 3 afront end which is open leaving a free passage for the barrels T. Threesuccessive housings 7, 8 and 9 are defined inside the body 3 between itsrear and front end (FIG. 2).

The loading and firing system SC includes a loading unit 10 which isrotatably mounted of the housing 7 in the body 3. The loading unit 10 isrotatable around a fixed central shaft 12 by means of bearings 14. Theloading unit 10 has a roughly cylindrical shape and includes, at itsperiphery, indentations forming chutes 16 to receive the rounds ofammunition M. A fixed helicoidal ramp 18, formed on the inner wall ofthe housing 7 in the body 3 of the weapon, ensures that the rounds movealong the chutes 16 during the rotational movement of the loading unit10.

The loading and firing system SC also includes several chambers 20mounted around the fixed central shaft 12 inside the housing 8 of thebody 3. For example, there can be four chambers 20, each chambercorresponding to a barrel of the weapon. Each chamber is mounted torotate around a stay 22, parallel to the fixed central shaft 12, andintegral in rotation with the loading unit 10. During the rotation ofthe loading unit 10, the chambers 20 can be guided between two fixedcams, separated from one another by a invariable distance matching theouter diameter of the chambers 20.

Thus, during a full revolution of the loading unit 10, four successivezones can be defined:

--a loading zone where a first chamber 20 is open and offset sidewayswith respect to its corresponding barrel T to load a round,

--a closing zone where a second chamber 20 containing a round movesgradually from its open to its closed position,

--a firing zone where a third chamber 20 is closed and axially alignedwith its corresponding barrel T, and

--an opening zone where the fourth chamber 20 moves gradually from itsclosed position to its open position.

It is important to note, for the following, that during its wholemovement in the firing zone, a chamber is axially aligned with thebarrel of the weapon to which it corresponds.

A system SE, for ejecting the cases of the rounds that have been fired,is mounted in the housing 9 of the body 3.

The system SE can include two star wheels 24, coaxial to the shaft 12and integral in rotation with the stays 22.

Four percussion devices 25, one device per chamber, are housed insidethe loading unit 10. Each percussion device 25 is activated by a controldevice 27.

The housing 9 which houses the system SE to eject the cases is closedoff by a part 30. The part 30 supports the stays 22 as well as thebarrels T which extend beyond the part 30, which is integral in rotationwith the loading unit 10 (FIG. 1).

With reference to FIG. 2, an external motor component M, such as aback-geared motor, has an output shaft which supports a drive wheel 32.The drive wheel 32 meshes with a toothing 34 provided on the peripheryof the support part 30 to drive the revolving assembly of the weapon inrotation.

The revolving assembly 100 of the weapon includes the loading unit 10,the stays 22 and the corresponding chambers 20, the barrels T and thesystem SE for ejecting the ammunition cases. An assembly to which afiring abort and hang fire safety system is added ensures that therevolving assembly 100 of the weapon is immobilized further to themisfire of a round of ammunition from one of the barrels T of the weaponor activated by an external control to abort fire.

Generally speaking, and with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the fixedcentral shaft 12, which passes through the revolving unit 100 of theweapon, is axially extended by a central rod 104, one end of which isattached to the shaft 12 by a coupling 106. At its other end, the rod104 supports a bearing washer 108 retained by a nut 110 screwed onto therod 104 through which the barrels T of the weapon pass.

The coupling 106 includes a sleeve 114 integral with the rod 104 andslidably mounted on the said shaft 12. As can be seen in FIG. 3, twofixed pins 116 are engaged in the body of the sleeve 114, perpendicularto the axis of the latter, so as to project radially in two axial slots118. The slots 118 are diametrically opposite one another and arrangedat the peripheral surface of the central shaft 12. The two ends of theslots 118 each form an abutment which limits the axial movement of thesleeve 114 of the coupling 106.

The firing abort and hang fire safety system includes a system 120 toimmobilize the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon in rotation. Withreference to FIG. 1, the system 120 includes a shock-absorbing deviceformed of two stacks of spring-rings 122a and 122b respectively housedin two telescopic tubes 124a and 124b slidably mounted on the centralrod 104.

More specifically, the first telescopic tube 124a comprises, at one end,a bottom wall 125 through which the central rod 104 passes and intendedto rest against a cylindrical support unit 126 placed between thecoupling 106 and the first telescopic tube 124a. The support unit 126will be described later on. At its other end, the first tube 124a isopen so as to receive, in a telescopic manner, the end of the secondtube 124b.

The end of the second tube 124b which is engaged inside tube 124a alsoincludes a bottom wall 125 through which the central rod 104 passes.Thus, the spring-rings 122a, housed in the first tube 124a and arrangedaround the central rod 104, are held between the two bottom walls 125 ofthe two tubes 124a and 124b. Whereas the spring-rings 122b housed in thesecond tube 124b and arranged around the central rod 104, are heldbetween the bottom wall 125 of tube 124b and the bearing washer 108provided at the free end of the central rod 104. Towards its other openend, the second tube 124b extends slightly beyond the bearing washer108, which has a diameter which is slightly less than the inner diameterof tube 124b, and freely passes through a radial plate 130 through whichthe four barrels T of the weapon also pass and which is integral withthe latter. The second tube 124b ends with an radial outer rim 132intended to rest against the plate 130 thus limiting the degree to whichtube 124b is able to travel within tube 124a.

A control device, for compressing to compress the spring-rings 122a and122b of the shock-absorbing device, includes the aforementionedcylindrical support unit 126 which is fitted between the coupling 106and tube 124a. The support unit 126 is mounted coaxially and is integralin rotation with the revolving assembly 100, while remaining able totranslate along the barrels T of the weapon which pass through it. Thecontrol device for compressing the spring-rings 122a and 122b alsoincludes a mechanism, described below, for causing the support unit 126to translate further to the misfire of a round of ammunition or to theactivation of the external control to abort fire.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the support unit 126 supports camfollowers 135 at its periphery which are evenly spaced around this unit,hereafter termed cam-follower mount 126. The cam-followers 135 arerespectively accommodated in helicoidal grooves 137 arranged in thecylindrical wall of a sleeve 140. This sleeve 140 is brought around thecam-follower mount 126 and is supported in rotation by two braces 142and 143 (FIG. 2).

The cam-followers 135 transmit the rotational movement of thecam-follower mount 126 to the sleeve 140 while allowing the mount totranslate when the sleeve 140 is immobilized in rotation by a stoppingdevice 145.

The stopping device 145, such as that shown in FIG. 4, is formed of aretractable sear G able to cooperate with one of several heels 150evenly spaced around the sleeve 140. The number of heels 150 is equal tothe number of barrels of the weapon, so that a heel 150 corresponds toeach barrel T.

Generally speaking, the sear G is rotatably immobile with respect to therevolving assembly 100 of the weapon. The sear G is pivotally mounted ona unit or sear support 152 facing the sleeve 140.

The sear G is formed of a roughly rectangular shaped flap, one side ofwhich forms an abutment for the heels 150 of the sleeve 140. The sear Gis mounted to pivot around a fixed axis 154 supported by the searsupport 152. The sear G extends parallel to the rotational axis of therevolving assembly 100 provided by the central shaft 12 and the rod 104.

The sear G can adopt either a lowered or retracted position to avoidbeing on the course of movement of the heels 150 during the rotation ofthe sleeve 140, or can be raised so as to lie on this course of movementat a point so that the first heel can contact the sear G to immobilizethe sleeve 140 in rotation is the one which corresponds to the barrel Tlocated in the firing zone of the operating cycle of the weapon, that isas long as the chamber is axially aligned with the barrel.

According to a first embodiment, the sear G is in a raised positionbefore a round of ammunition is fired from one of the barrels T of theweapon. As a result, under normal operating conditions of the weapon,the sear G must be lowered after a round has been fired and raisedbefore firing the next round of ammunition.

With reference to FIG. 4, the device 155 to lower the sear G is formedof a pivoting lever 157, one end of which is hinged around a fixed point158 on the sear support 152. The other end of the lever 157 is hinged onthe sear G so that a pivoting movement of the lever 157 drives apivoting movement of the sear G around its axis 154. The hinge betweenthe lever 157 and the sear G can be formed by a pin 160 carried by thelever 157 and an oblong slot 162 arranged in the sear G to accommodatethe pin 160. The lever 157 supports a boss 164 which forms a contactsurface forming a cam which is used to pivot the lever 157 and lower thesear G.

The device 165 for raising the sear G (FIG. 4) is formed by a cam 167simultaneously which is integral with the sear G. Thus the cam 167 canpivot with the sear G around the hinge pin 154. The cam 167 marks out abearing surface 169 which bears a control mechanism for raising the searG.

In this first embodiment, the devices 155 and 165 for lowering andraising the sear G are successively activated by one of severaldetection and control means 170. The control means 170 are mounted on asupport 172 which is integral with the revolving assembly 100 of theweapon, and are equal in number to the barrels T of the weapon.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, each control mechanism 170 is formed ofa mobile element that can to take up either an active position used tocontrol devices 155 and 165 to lower and raise the sear G by actingrespectively on the boss 164 of the lever 157 and the the bearingsurface 169 of the cam 167, or a neutral or starting position whichinvolves no action on the sear G. The mobile element can be for exampleformed of the piston rod 175 of a jack 177. The mobile element can andalso form a detection mechanism that is sensitive to the pressure of thecombustive gases generated after firing a round.

A control mechanism 170 is associated with each barrel T, i.e., thecylinder 178 of the jack 177 corresponding to each barrel T is able tocommunicate with its corresponding barrel T, by means of a passage 180,in order to transmit part of the combustive gases resulting from thefiring of a round to the cylinder 178 (FIG. 4). A return spring 182brings the piston rod 175 back to its starting position after a roundhas been fired.

The firing abort and hang fire safety system enables the sleeve 140 tobe immobilized in rotation either because a round of ammunition from oneof the barrels has misfired, or by virtue of deliberate activation of anexternal control 185 to abort fire.

The external control 185 to abort fire (FIGS. 3 to 5) is immobile inrotation with respect to the revolving assembly 100. The externalcontrol 185 includes a sector 187 able to translate and which isintended to cooperate with a pawl 189 mounted pivoting around an axis191 of the revolving support unit 172 of the jacks 177. The pawl 189 ispositioned on the support unit 172 so as to be able to cooperate withthe piston rod 175 of the control means 170 corresponding to one of thebarrels T of the weapon. At one end, the pawl 189 is finished off by ahook 192. The firing abort sector 187 is controlled by an electromagnet194.

Generally speaking, the piston rod 175 of each control mechanism 170passes through the corresponding cylinder 178. However, the piston rod175 associated with the pawl 189 also includes, at one end, a rim 196intended to cooperate with the hook 192 which is able to immobilize thepiston rod 175.

The normal operation of the weapon will now be described for a fullrevolution of the revolving assembly 100 and more particularly of therevolving sleeve 140, the rotation of which is ensured by thecam-follower mount 126 that is integral in rotation with this revolvingassembly.

According to the operating principle of this first embodiment, the searG is in the raised position before a round of ammunition is fired fromany one of the barrels T. The piston rods 175 of the control means 170of the sear G are each in their neutral or retracted position insidetheir respective cylinders 178.

This operation will be described only for a single barrel T of theweapon, the heel 150 of the sleeve 140 corresponding to this barrel Tand the control mechanism 170 also associated with this barrel T tomodify the position of the sear G.

When the barrel T comes into the firing zone, the firing pin 25corresponding to this barrel is activated and the round of ammunitionloaded in this barrel T is fired. Some of the gases resulting from thefiring of the round work their way through to the cylinder 178 of thejack 177 corresponding to the barrel T via the passage 180. The pistonrod 175 housed in the cylinder 178 then moves axially to take up anactive position, a movement accompanied by the compression of its returnspring 182.

Given that the support unit 172 of the jacks 177 has a rotationalmovement which is synchronous with that of the sleeve 140 and therevolving assembly 100, the piston rod 175 will first contact the boss164 of the lowering lever 155 to pivot this lever 155, lower the sear Gand enable the heel 150 corresponding to the barrel T to move freely infront of the sear G (FIG. 7). The piston rod 175 then contacts thebearing surface 169 of the cam 167 to raise the sear G before a round ofammunition is fired by the next barrel.

Once the piston rod 175 has raised the sear G, the action of thecombustive gases is no longer enough to retain the piston rod 175 in itsactive position, and the return spring 182 brings the piston rod back toits neutral or retracted position inside its cylinder 178.

Thus, under normal operating conditions of the weapon and for a fullrevolution of the sleeve 140, each barrel of the weapon fires a roundwith, after each fire, retraction of the sear G to provide a freepassage for the heel 150 corresponding to the barrel T which has justfired a round, and the repositioning of the sear in its raised positionbefore the following fire.

A malfunction may occur during the firing of a round of ammunition fromone of the barrels T of the weapon, such as a failure causing the roundnot to be fired or a delay in firing this round. In this case, theabsence or delay of the combustive gases prevents the piston rod 175 ofthe jack 177 corresponding to the barrel T from moving and to remain inits retracted position. In these circumstances, the boss 164 of thelowering lever 157 is no longer located on the course of movement of thepiston rod 175 during the rotation of the unit 172 which supports thejacks 177, and as a result the sear G remains in its raised position.The sear G is thus located on the course of movement of the heel 150corresponding to the barrel T and causes the sleeve 140 to beimmobilized in rotation (FIG. 6).

In the event that a volley of fire is required to be aborted forexample, each shot being carried out normally, the external control 185merely has to be activated in order to abort fire by activating theelectromagnet 194 to move the firing sector 187 into the course ofmovement of the pawl 189 supported by the support unit 172 of thecontrol means 170.

As the pawl 189 passes, the sector 187 will force the pawl to swingaround the axis 191 in the direction of the piston rod 175 of thecontrol means 170 corresponding to the barrel T of the weapon to whichthe pawl 189 is attributed. The pawl 189 undergoes this swing when thebarrel enters into the firing zone and before the round of ammunitioncontained in the chamber 20 of this barrel is ignited. As a result, thehook 192 of the pawl 189 is positioned against the rear rim 196 of thepiston rod 175 (FIG. 5). In these circumstances, the gases resultingfrom firing the last round can not impel the rod to move. The heel 150of the revolving sleeve 140 corresponding to the barrel T will thereforeabut against the sear G of the stopping device 145 held in its activenon retracted position. Thus, the revolving sleeve 140 is immobilized inrotation, as in the previous case further to the misfire of a round ofammunition (FIG. 6).

The presence of a single pawl 189 should be noted. In fact, such asolution proves advantageous in the event that the weapon operates at ahigh rate of fire, as it is difficult to associate a pawl 189 to eachbarrel of the weapon given that the time required for the sector 187corresponding to each pawl to be set into position would be too short.On the other hand, with such a solution, the weapon cannot fireshot-by-shot, but has to fire a minimum number of shots equal to thenumber of barrels of the weapon.

When the sleeve 140 is immobilized in rotation further to the action ofthe sear G against which a heel 150 of the sleeve abuts, the action mustbe noted of a counter-sear 198, armed for example by a spring (notshown) which presses against the heel 150 which precedes the heels 150immobilized by the sear G, so as to immobilize the sleeve 140 in bothrotational directions (FIG. 6).

In the two cases described above, the immobilization in rotation of therevolving sleeve 140 causes the device 120 to stop the revolvingassembly 100 of the weapon in rotation, and the stoppage of the drivemotor M.

When the sleeve 140 is immobilized in rotation, the cam-follower mount126 and the revolving unit 100 of the weapon continue their rotationalmovement, during which the cam-follower mount 126 also translates in thefiring direction of the weapon further to the movement of thecam-followers 135 in the helicoidal grooves 137 of the sleeve 140immobilized in rotation. When moving, the cam-follower mount 126 bearson the bottom wall 125 of the telescopic tube 124a, the effect of whichis to compress the first stack of spring-rings 122a, then the secondstack of spring-rings 122b which bears on the fixed plate 130 carried bythe central rod 104.

Thus, the effect of compressing the spring-rings 122a and 122b is toabsorb the kinetic energy of the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon.When the return force of the spring-rings 122a and 122b becomes greaterthan the rotational driving force of the cam-follower mount 126, thelatter and the revolving assembly of the weapon 100 are driven in anopposite rotational direction during which the cam-follower mount 126also translates in the opposite direction to that having caused thecompression of the spring-rings 122a and 122b. The kinetic energy of therevolving assembly 100 during this opposite rotational movement isabsorbed by the second stack of spring-rings 122b, the length of whichis less than that of the first stack of spring-rings 122a. The secondstack is also stiffer as the kinetic energy to be absorbed is not sogreat during the reverse rotational movement of the revolving assembly100. When the spring-rings 122a and 122b spring back, the telescopictubes 124a and 124b initially driven in translation by the cam-followermount 126 undergo a reverse translational movement. The second tube 124bis then immobilized further to its outer rim 132 pressing against thefixed plate 130, whereas the first tube 124a contacts the sleeve 114 ofthe coupling 106 which will be able to move towards the rear for adistance limited by the axial length of the slots 118 in which the fixedpins 116 are engaged.

Generally speaking, when the weapon is in its starting position, thesear G is not in a retracted position, such that one of the heel 150 ofthe revolving sleeve 140 abuts against the sear G. Before firing avolley of rounds for example, the sear G of the stopping device must beretracted.

To this end, the firing abort and hang fire safety system is completedby an additional retraction device 200 shown in FIG. 6.

The additional retraction device 200 includes a lever 202 which, towardsone end or front end, is extended by a lateral boss 204 of a roughlytriangular shape in which a guiding slot 206, of a bent shape, has beenarranged and which accommodates a fixed pin 208. To its front end, thelever 202 is extended axially by a limit stop 210 intended to cooperatewith a crank pin 212 carried by the control cam 167 of the device 165 toraise the sear G. The other end of the lever 202 is hinged at point 214on the mobile element 216 of a control electromagnet 218.

When the electromagnet 218 is activated, the lever 202 moves in thedirection of the stopping device 145 guided by its fixed pin 208 whichmoves in the slot 206. This movement is such that the limit stop 210 ofthe lever 202 presses upon the crank pin 212 of the control cam 167 soas to pivot it in order to retract the sear G, thus releasing the heel150 of the revolving sleeve 140 which becomes free to rotate.

According to the first embodiment described above and under normaloperating conditions of the weapon, the sear G must be lowered afterfiring a round of ammunition from a barrel T to enable the heel 150corresponding to this barrel T to pass freely through, then raisedbefore another round is fired from the next barrel T. However, when thehang fire safety and firing abort system is activated, the sear Gremains in the raised position to form a limit stop during the passageof the heel 150, thus immobilizing the sleeve 140 in rotation andcausing the translation of the cam-follower mount 126 which compressesthe spring-rings 122a and 122b of the shock-absorbing device.

According to a second embodiment described hereafter, an oppositeoperating mode is considered for the sear G. In other words, the sear Gis held in a lowered position during the normal operation of the weaponand is only raised further to a misfire or to the activation of theexternal control for aborting firing in order to, as above, immobilizethe sleeve 140 in rotation.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the sear G is formed of a flap of aroughly rectangular shape, one side of which forms a limit stop and anopposite side is extended by a rod 250 which provides the hinge pin ofthe sear G, this axis being parallel to the hinge pin of the revolvingassembly 100. The sear G is mounted on a sear support 152 which facesthe revolving sleeve 140 and which is immobile in rotation with respectto the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon.

When the sear G is in its lowered position, it is accommodated in ahousing 253 of the support 152. A spring 254 is mounted in the bottom ofthis housing 253 to make it easier to raise the sear G (FIG. 12).

A device 255 is provided to lower the sear G and hold it in a loweredposition in which it is outside the course of circular movement of theheels 150 of the sleeve 140.

The device 255 for lowering the sear G includes a pivoting lever 257mounted in a plane perpendicular to the hinge pin of the revolvingassembly 100. More specifically, the lever 257 is mounted free to rotatetowards one end of a shaft 259 and includes, at one end, a notch 260intended to cooperate with an operating pin 262 which is carried by aradial arm 264 integral with the rod 250 of the sear G. The pin 262 isparallel to the rod 250 and off center with respect to the rod, in orderto transform the pivoting movement of the lever 257 into a rotationalmovement of the rod 250, thus swinging the sear G into a retractedposition.

With reference to FIG. 8, the pivoting movement of the lever 257 isensured by a rotational control element 265 of the shaft 259 whichsupports the lever 257. The rotational movement of the shaft 259 istransmitted with the lever 257 by a spring 267 mounted coaxially to theshaft 259. More specifically, one end of the spring 267 is attached tothe shaft 259, whereas its other end bears on the lever 257. Thus, arotation of the shaft 259 is translated as a pivoting movement of thelever 257.

The control element 265 can be an electromagnet, whose mobile element265a on an off center pin 269 attached to the end of the shaft 259opposite that which cooperates with the lever 257. Thus, a translationalmovement of the mobile element 265a is translated by a rotationalmovement of the shaft 259.

The shaft 259 is mounted on a support unit 270 located in the vicinityof the sear support 252. These two supports leave a space E between themin which the lowering device 255 of the sear G is housed. The supportunit 270 is immobile in rotation with respect to the revolving assembly100 of the weapon. Taking into account the firing azimuth of the weapon,the support unit 270 is located upwards of the support unit 152 of thesear G. The electromagnet 265 is located to the side of the support unit270 which is opposite the space E, and the shaft 259 extends in parallelto the hinge pin of the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon.

The lever 257 which enables the sear G is be lowered is an element of alinkage TR incorporating two other levers 272 and 274 mounted in theextension of lever 257, that is in a plane perpendicular to the hingepin of the revolving assembly 100.

More specifically, the end of lever 257, opposite the end on which thenotch 120 has been arranged, is hinged at one end of the middle lever272 around an axis 276. The other end of the middle lever 272 is hingedat one end of lever 274 around a hinge pin 277 whereas the other end oflever 274 is hinged at a fixed point around axis 278.

The linkage TR forms a broken line, whose geometry can be changed incircumstances which will be explained later to make lever 257 pivot inthe opposite direction to that imparted by the shaft 259.

A device 280 is also provided to immobilizing the sear G when it is inits lowered position. This device 280 incorporates a pivoting lever 282,one end of which is hinged at a fixed point around an axis 284. Theother end of the immobilizing lever 282 is intended to penetrate insidea notch 285 arranged in the radial arm 264 which is integral with therod 250 of the sear G (FIG. 11). The immobilizing lever 282 extends inparallel to the linkage TR, and cooperates with a return spring (notshown) to hold the lever 282 in the position in which it immobilizes thesear G. The pivoting of the lever is controlled by a pin 287 whichaxially extends the hinge pin 277 provided between the two levers 272and 274 of the linkage TR, as will be described later.

A device 290 is also provided to raise the sear G. The device is alsolocated in the space E and incorporates a lever 292, one end of which ishinged at a fixed point around the hinge pin 284. The other end of thelever 292 is intended to cooperate with an operating pin 295 to swingthe sear G. The pin 295 is supported by a radial arm 296 integral withthe rod 250 of the sear G. The pin 295 extends in parallel to the rod250, is off center and penetrates into a hole 297 provided in lever 292.Thus, a pivotal movement of lever 292 around its axis 294, enables therod 250 to be driven in rotation by means of the pin 295, thus swingingthe sear G into its raised position.

Generally speaking, the lever 292 to for raising the sear G is inparallel to the linkage TR and to the immobilizing lever 282, and itincludes an opening 298 to allow the rod 250 of the sear G to passfreely through.

Along its length, lever 292 includes a boss 299 on which each of thecontrol mechanism 170 of the first embodiment can act, notably thepiston rod 175 of the jack 177 corresponding to each barrel of theweapon and whose position is controlled by making use of the combustivegases from the round of ammunition fired by this barrel T.

In this second embodiment, the external control 300 for aborting fireincorporates a pivoting sector 302 which is immobile in rotation withrespect to the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon.

Sector 302 includes a curved surface 302a which forms a cam and which ishingably mounted onto the side of the support unit 270 which is oppositethe space E where devices 255 and 290 for lowering and raising the searG are mounted. More specifically, one end of sector 302 is hinged ontoan off center pin 304 carried on a radial arm 306 integral with thedrive shaft 259 of the lowering lever 257. The other end of sector 302is hinged onto an off center pin 308 carried on a radial arm 310integral with a shaft 312 supported in rotation by the support unit 270and extending in parallel to the drive shaft 259. Sector 302 can thuspivot in a plane perpendicular to the hinge pin of the revolvingassembly 100, its surface 302a forming a cam opposite this revolvingassembly. Sector 302 is able to pivot between a starting position and acontrol position, given that a return spring 315 mounted coaxially tothe drive shaft 259 includes one end which bears on sector 302 so as toautomatically bring it back to the starting position when theelectromagnet 265 which controls the rotation of the shaft 259 is notexcited.

The external control 300 to abort fire also includes a revolving valve318 mounted around one of the barrels T of the weapon and which isdescribed with reference to FIG. 10. The valve 318 has an opening 320intended to form a passage for the gases between the barrel T and thecylinder 178 of the jack corresponding to this barrel to control themovement of the piston rod 175 mounted in the cylinder 178. The valve318 acts as the pawl 189 used in the first embodiment.

The sector 302 is intended to change the position of the valve 318 tobreak the link between the barrel T and the cylinder 178 of the jack 177when the external control 300 to abort fire is activated. To this end,the valve 318 includes a radial heel 322, whose free end contacts thecam 300a of the sector 302 to pivot the valve 318 around the barrel Tsupporting it.

The operation of the weapon under normal conditions will now bedescribed for a full revolution of the revolving assembly 100,particular attention will be paid to the rotational movement of thesleeve 140 as for the first embodiment.

According to the operating principle of the second embodiment, the searG is in the lowered position before a round is fired from any one of thebarrels T, and the piston rod 175 of the jack 177 corresponding to thisbarrel is in the active position. Thus during the rotational movement ofthe barrel T, the piston rod 175 contacts the linkage TR of the device155 to lower the sear G and the boss 299 of the lever 292 which raisesthe sear G.

In order for the sear G to be in its lowered position, the electromagnet165 is kept under tension so that its mobile element 265a rests on theoperating pin 269 of the shaft 259 to make the latter carry out arotational movement which is transmitted to lever 257 of the linkage TR.The notch 260 of lever 257 thus contacts the operating pin 262 whichdrives the rod 250 of the sear G in rotation in a direction whichpropels the sear G into its lowered position. Lever 282 of the device280 for immobilizing the sear G is then engaged in the notch 285 on theradial arm 264 which supports the operating pin 262 (FIG. 11).

When the electromagnet 265 is activated, the firing abort sector 302 isin its starting position and the return spring 315 corresponding tosector 302 is tensed.

As for the first embodiment, operation will be described for one barrelT only of the weapon, the heel 150 of the sleeve 140 corresponding tothis barrel T and the control means 170, also corresponding to thisbarrel T, to change the position of the sear G.

When the barrel T moves into the firing zone, the firing pin 25corresponding to this barrel is activated, and the round of ammunitionloaded in this barrel is fired. Some of the gases resulting from firingthe round make their way through the opening 320 in the revolving valve318 into the cylinder 178 of the jack 177 which corresponds to thebarrel T. The piston rod 175 housed in the cylinder 178 then movesaxially to take up its starting position, a movement accompanied by thecompression of its return spring 182. In these circumstances, during therotational movement of the barrel T, the piston rod 175 corresponding tothis barrel is not able to contact either the linkage TR associated withthe device 255 lowering the sear G or with the boss 299 of the lever 292raising the sear G. In these circumstances, the heel 150 of the sleeve140 corresponding to the barrel T which has just fired a round passesfreely in front of the sear G, as does the heel 150 corresponding toeach barrel T of the weapon which fires a round of ammunition during afull revolution of the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon.

A malfunction may occur during firing a round of ammunition from one ofthe barrels T. In this case, the absence of gases resulting from theround not being fired within a pre-determined lapse of time means thatthe piston rod 175 of the jack 177 corresponding to this barrel T doesnot move and remains in its active position during the revolution of theunit 172 supporting the jacks 177. Thus, the piston rod willsuccessively come into contact with the linkage TR and the boss 299 onthe device 290 for raising the sear G.

More specifically, the piston rod 175 contacts with the linkage TR inthe vicinity of the hinge pin 277 between the two levers 272 and 274.The effect of this contact is to change the broken geometric line madeby the linkage TR and force the lever 257 to pivot around so that itsnotch 260 is released from the operating pin 262 of the sear G.Simultaneously, the pin 287 which extends this hinge pin 277 bears onlever 282 so as to make it pivot around, releasing it from the notch 285in the radial arm 264 which is integral with the rod 250 of the sear G.In these circumstances, the sear G is released from the lowering device255. Thereafter, the piston rod 175 contacts the boss 299 on the raisinglever 292 which, by means of the operating pin 295, causes the sear G toswing into its raised position (FIG. 12).

The sear G is raised before the heel 150 of the sleeve 140 correspondingto the barrel T passes in front of the sear G, such that the heel 150abuts to abut against the sear G, thereby causing the sleeve 140 to beimmobilized in rotation.

If a volley of fire is required to be aborted, each shot being carriedout normally, the external control 300 for aborting firing merely has tobe activated and the power supply to the electromagnet 265 cut off.

When the electromagnet is no longer under tension, its mobile element265a is no longer in contact with the operating pin of the shaft 259.

The return spring 315 corresponding to sector 302 can then spring back,thereby moving sector 302 into its active position. In thesecircumstances, when the barrel T which carries the valve 318 moves intothe vicinity of sector 302, the heel 322 of the valve 318 contacts cam302a, thus forcing the valve 318 to revolve around the barrel T, suchthat the opening 320 of the valve 318 prevents the barrel T and thecylinder 178 of the jack 177 corresponding to this barrel T fromcommunicating with one another (FIG. 13).

In these circumstances, the piston rod 175 housed in the cylinder 178remains in its active position, so as to be able to raise the sear G andimmobilize the revolving sleeve 140. This results in the same conditionsof operation as those resulting from the misfire of a round ofammunition.

Thus, as for the first embodiment, a malfunction in firing a round ofammunition and the activation of the external control for aborting fireare translated by the immobilization of the revolving sleeve 140. Thisimmobilization in rotation of the sleeve 140 causes the device 120 toimmobilize the revolving assembly 100 of the weapon in rotation, in anidentical manner to that described for the first embodiment.

As for the first embodiment, a counter-sear 198 is provided which isarmed by a spring and supported by the support unit 152 of the sear G.This counter-sear 198 bears against the heel 150 of the sleeve 140 whichprecedes the one immobilized by the sear G.

Lastly, the system is advantageously provided with a device 330 toadjust the initial geometric shape of the linkage TR. This device 330comprises an element 332 which is able to translate under the control ofa screw 334 for example and which supports the rotational axis 277 oflever 274.

We claim:
 1. A firing abort and hang fire safety system for use withmultiple rounds of ammunition and a small or medium calibre multi-barrelautomatic weapon that includes multiple barrels having a firing azimuth,a loading and firing system and a body which supports an assembly whichis rotatable around an axis parallel to the firing azimuth of thebarrels, the firing abort and hang fire safety system comprising:anapparatus to prevent the assembly from rotating, the apparatus having:at least one shock-absorber mounted coaxially to the assembly; anexternal control to abort firing; a control device having a cylindricalbody which is coaxial to and integral in rotation with the assembly andis also able to translate relative to the assembly; and means forcausing translational movement of the body upon either the detection ofa misfire of a round of ammunition or the activation of the externalcontrol to abort firing, so as to compress the at least oneshock-absorber and absorb rotational kinetic energy of the assembly, themeans for causing translational movement of the body including a sleevedisposed around the body; wherein the assembly supports the barrels ofthe weapon and the loading and firing system so that the barrels eachsuccessively fire a round during one full revolution of the assemblyunder normal operating conditions of the weapon.
 2. The system accordingto claim 1, further including a fixed shaft and wherein the at least oneshock-absorber are formed of two stacks of spring-rings respectivelyhoused in two telescopic tubes slidably and coaxially mounted to thefixed central shaft.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein thefixed central shaft is axially extended beyond the assembly of theweapon, in the direction of fire of said weapon, by a central rodattached to the fixed central shaft by means for coupling whose free endsupports a locking ring, and in that the first telescopic tube comprisesat one end a bottom wall through which the central rod passes, and inthat the second telescopic tube which is intended to engage, by one endalso comprising a bottom wall through which the central rod passes, inthe other end of the first telescopic tube, and in that the first stackof spring-rings bears on the two bottom walls of the two tubes, and inthat the second stack of spring-rings bears on the bottom wall of thesecond telescopic tube and on the locking ring carried on the free endof the central rod.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein themeans for causing translational movement of the cylindrical bodycomprise linking means between the sleeve and the cylindrical body forfirstly driving the sleeve in synchronization with the cylindrical bodyand secondly for enabling the translational movement of the cylindricalbody with respect to the sleeve, and a device to stop the sleeve inrotation so as to cause the translational movement of the cylindricalbody, this stopping device being activated upon either the detection ofthe misfire of a round of ammunition or the external control to abortfiring.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the linking meansbetween the cylindrical body and the sleeve is formed of cam-followerssupported at the periphery of the cylindrical body and by helicoidalgrooves arranged in the sleeve wall, such that each groove receives acam-follower.
 6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the device tostop the sleeve in rotation comprises a plurality of heels evenly spacedat the periphery of the sleeve and a retractable sear immobile inrotation with respect to the sleeve and able to move between a loweredor retracted position and a raised position where the sear is located onthe circular course of movement of the heels to immobilize the sleeve inrotation.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the number ofheels of the sleeve is equal to that of the barrels of the weapon, suchas to match each heel to a barrel.
 8. The system according to claim 6,wherein the sear is formed of a pivoting flap hinged around a pinsupported by a sear support which is immobile in rotation with respectto the revolving assembly and which is mounted opposite the sleeve. 9.The system according to claim 6, wherein, in considering only a fullrevolution of the sleeve and the rotational direction of the sleeve, theheel associated with a barrel of the weapon passes in front of the searafter the ammunition fired from this barrel has been ignited and beforeignition of the ammunition fired from the next barrel.
 10. The systemaccording to claim 6, wherein, the passage of the sear into its loweredand/or raised positions is ensured by one of several detection andcontrol means mounted on a support integral in rotation with therevolving assembly of the weapon, these means being sensitive to thepressure of the combustive gases resulting from firing a round ofammunition.
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the number ofdetection and control means is equal to that of the barrels of theweapon, such as to match a control means to each barrel.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein each detection and control means isformed of an element able to move between a retracted position and anactive position where it can act upon the position of the sear, themobile element being able to move from one position to another by makinguse of the combustive gases of the ammunition fired by the barrelcorresponding to the detection and control means.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the mobile element is the piston rod of ajack, whose cylinder communicates with the barrel corresponding to themobile element.
 14. The system according to claim 6, further including araising device, and wherein, under normal operating conditions of theweapon, the sear is in the raised position before a round of ammunitionis fired from any of the barrels, and in that the sear is lowered by alowering device after firing a round of ammunition from one barrel sothat the heel of the sleeve then raised by means of the raising devicebefore a round of ammunition is fired by the following barrel, thesedevices being immobile in rotation with respect to the revolvingassembly of the weapon.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein,under normal operating conditions of the weapon, the devices to lowerand raise the sear are successively activated by the mobile element ofthe detection and control means corresponding to the barrel which hasjust fired a round of ammunition, the mobile element moving into anactive position when the round is fired.
 16. The system according toclaim 14, wherein the device to lower the sear comprises a pivotinglevel mounted in a perpendicular plane to the hinge pin of the sear, oneend of the lever being hinged around a fixed point, whereas its otherend is hinged onto the sear around an axis parallel to the hinge pin,and in that the lever also comprises a boss forming a cam on which acontrol means can act to lower the sear.
 17. The system according toclaim 15, wherein the device to raise the sear comprises a cam integralwith the sear, the cam having a bearing surface on which a control meanscan act to raise the sear.
 18. The system according to claim 6, wherein,under normal operating conditions of the weapon, the sear is in itslowered position before a round of ammunition is fired from any one ofthe barrels, and in that the sear is held down by means of a loweringdevice and raised by means of a raising device, the lowering and raisingdevices being immobile in rotation with respect to the revolvingassembly of the weapon.
 19. The system according to claim 18, furtherincluding a support, and wherein the hinge pin of the sear is providedby a rod, and the sear is mounted on the support facing the revolvingsleeve and which is immobile in rotation with respect to the revolvingassembly of the weapon.
 20. The system according to claim 19, furtherincluding a motor element, and wherein the device to lower the sear ismounted in a perpendicular plane to the rotational axis of the revolvingassembly, and comprises a pivoting lever mounted on a shaft parallel tothe rotational axis of the revolving assembly the pivoting lever havinga notch intended to cooperate with an operating pin carried on a radialarm integral with the rod of the sear, the shaft to control the leverbeing compelled to rotate by the motor element to force the lever tohold the sear in a lowered position.
 21. The system according to claim20, wherein the lever is mounted free to rotate on the drive shaft, andin that the rotational movement of the drive shaft is transmitted to thelever by a spring.
 22. The system according to claim 20, furtherincluding a linkage, and wherein the lever to lower the sear is anelement of the linkage which forms a broken line, whose geometry is ableto vary according to its contact with the mobile elements of thedetection and control means to be able to release the sear when thelatter has to be raised.
 23. The system according to claim 21, whereinthe device to raise the sear comprises a pivoting lever intended tocooperate with an operating pin supported by a radial arm integral withthe rod of the sear, the lever comprising a boss which, by pivoting whenit comes into contact with the detection and control means, controlsraising the sear.
 24. The system according to claim 19, furtherincluding a support unit, and wherein the external control to abortfiring comprises a pivoting sector, immobile in rotation with respect tothe revolving assembly and mounted hinged on the support unit, and arevolving valve mounted around one of the barrels the revolving valvecomprising an opening allowing the combustive gases to pass between thebarrel and the cylinder of the corresponding detection and controlmeans.
 25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the pivoting sectoris able to move between a starting position and an active position whereit makes the revolving valve turn at the passage of a radial heelintegral with the revolving valve to separate the barrel of the weaponand the cylinder from one another.